Bird Transit - take 2

[davefrance]

Following on from my previous post http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/238291-bird-transit/ the bird was much nearer this time so hopefully more easily identifiable. This time no gliding, flapping all the time. Whilst in some frames it may resemble a pigeon, the wings look much too long to me. All ID's and suggestions welcome.

Real time = just less than one second

[RichM63]

Have you got falcons around your place?

+ what time for picture, I know I'm as far West as you can get almost, but my Moon at the time of posting this thread is still in the bushes.

Quick snap for local time.

[davefrance]

Have you got falcons around your place?

+ what time for picture, I know I'm as far West as you can get almost, but my Moon at the time of posting this thread is still in the bushes.

Quick snap for local time. Moon rise 015_DxO.jpg

About 21:20.  I am pretty sure I saw a Hobby the other day.

We have a number of other birds of prey, Red Kites, Black Kites, Buzzards, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk. Other big birds Raven, Crow, Magpie, Jay, Tawny Owl, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove.

Moon tonight at 21:20 approx 17 deg above horizon just clearing our boundary trees. Last night at the same time was 22 deg.

You can check angle on Stellarium.

[wxsatuser]

Wonder if it's a migrating Cuckoo.

[fit]

Frequency of flapping may be an indicator. I counted 3.5 flaps. Some birds need to flap faster, and others need to flap slower. According to their mechanical characteristics. I am sure their is a chart with this somewhere.

[davefrance]

Wonder if it's a migrating Cuckoo.

Frequency of flapping may be an indicator. I counted 3.5 flaps. Some birds need to flap faster, and others need to flap slower. According to their mechanical characteristics. I am sure their is a chart with this somewhere.

wxsatuser - Wouldn't rule out a cuckoo it is the right body shape but don't think the wings are like a cuckoos. Certainly have not heard one........................yet. Every year we have a series of events that take us from Spring into Summer. The first is the wild daffodils in the woodland and the reappearance of the wall and green Lizards. That's followed by the call of the cuckoo and the first wild orchids -early purple. Then the Golden Oriole closely followed by the Hoopoo. Finally a succession of other wild orchids - bee, woodcock, lizard, pyramid to name just a few.

fit - I would think 3.5 flaps in a second is quite fast for a big bird, similar, perhaps, to a pigeon. Again the body shape is similar but think wings too long. To my mind it does resemble a Nightjar in flight but will probably never know for sure.

Thanks both for your interest.